match
mach
Match (noun) means an organized contest between competitors, as in sport. Example: “They watched the tennis match go to a third set.”
noun
1
An organized contest between competitors, as in sport.
"They watched the tennis match go to a third set."
"The boxing match ended in a knockout in round two."
"The school football match was cancelled because the pitch was too wet."
2
Something or someone equal or corresponding to another.
"Her wit was more than a match for his sarcasm."
"When it comes to chess, nobody in the club is a match for her."
"He finally met his match in a quiet girl who loved debating."
3
A small stick tipped with a substance that ignites by friction.
"He struck a match to light the candles."
"Keep a box of matches in the kitchen drawer in case of a power cut."
"She lit the campfire with a single dry match."
verb
1
To correspond to, resemble, or be equivalent to something else.
"Her shoes matched her handbag perfectly."
"The suspect's fingerprints matched those found at the scene."
"The paint colour does not quite match the curtains in the living room."
2
To pair or fit things together suitably.
"The app matches users based on shared interests."
"The teacher asked us to match each animal with the country it comes from."
"A good waiter can match the right wine to every dish on the menu."
How to use match
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context: a sports contest, something that corresponds to another thing, or the small stick you strike to make fire.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the sporting "match" with a "game" — in some sports (tennis, cricket) they mean different things: a match can contain multiple games or innings.
Common pairings
football match
perfect match
strike a match
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Word forms
- Plural
- matches
- Third person singular
- matches
- Past tense
- matched
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They watched the tennis _____ go to a third set.
Etymology
The "equal/pair" sense traces to Old English mæcca ("companion, mate"); the "fire-stick" sense is a separate, later development referring to a wick or fuse used to carry flame.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for match
See all rhymes for match →Frequently asked questions
What does “match” mean?
The word “match” means an organized contest between competitors, as in sport. In plain terms, depending on context: a sports contest, something that corresponds to another thing, or the small stick you strike to make fire.
How do you pronounce “match”?
“Match” is pronounced mach (/mæt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “match” in a sentence?
Here is “match” used in a sentence: “They watched the tennis match go to a third set.”
What is the opposite of “match”?
The opposite of “match” — its antonyms — is differ.
What part of speech is “match”?
Depending on how it is used, “match” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “match” come from?
The word “match” comes from Old English. The "equal/pair" sense traces to Old English mæcca ("companion, mate"); the "fire-stick" sense is a separate, later development referring to a wick or fuse used to carry flame.
Is “match” a common word?
“Match” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “match” have?
“Match” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an organized contest between competitors, as in sport.
What is the difference between a match and a game?
In many sports the terms overlap, but a match is often the whole contest, while a game can be a smaller unit within it — a tennis match contains several games. Usage is also regional: British English tends to say match for football, while American English usually says game for the same fixture.
What is the difference between a match and a tournament?
A match is a single contest between competitors, such as one boxing bout or one football fixture. A tournament is a whole series of matches organised to find an overall winner. So a tournament is made up of many matches, while a match is the individual event within it.
What are the different meanings of match?
Match has several senses. In sport it is an organised contest. A match is also a small stick tipped with a chemical that ignites when struck. As a verb, to match means to correspond or be equal. And a good match can describe two people or things that suit each other well.
What is an example of a match?
A tennis final is a clear example of a match: two players compete under agreed rules until one wins. Other examples include a boxing match, a cricket match, or a chess match. Each is a single, organised contest between competitors, distinct from a whole tournament or league of many such contests.
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